Inside curing rim



March 27, 1945.

INSIDE CURING RIM l Filed July 20, 1945 IN VEN TOR. 730,145 f? B/fco/v Je.

Patented Mar. 27, 1945 :UNITED NSTATES f PATENT oI-FICE4 l q f INSIDE CURIN'G RIM Thomas P. Bacon, Jr., Oakland, Calif. i

Application July 20, 1943, serialNoAssAos Claims.

This invention relates to inside curing rims. `'Inside curing rims heretofore used were so 1ocatedwithinthe tire casing that the inner tube, or pneumatic curing gbag curled around the opposite sides of the rim periphery causing the doubling,` cutting and creasing of `the inner tube. l

This'action also reduced the available outward expansion rforce for the pressing of the casing against vthe tread design of the mold. Diiculty was also experienced with the lack of quick and true alignment of the rim.

The objectfof this invention is to provide an I inside curing rim'of the collapsible type, which where it ts into the dished well 8 of the rim. Thus the inner peripheral portion of the curing bag 9 substantially completely lls the circumferential dished well 8 of the inside rim. The opposite circumferential edges Il of the rim are ilared outwardly and slightly upwardly on an outward curve substantially contiguous with the opposite outer portion-s I2 of the sides of the well 8. These side flanges II extend outwardly to a width somewhat beyond the maximum expanded width of bag 9' in the tire so that when the bag 9 is inflated in the rim it lls the well 8 and expands radially outwardly and spaced from the outer edges of the ilanges II without curling thereover. The expanding force in the curing `bag 9 isthus directed radially outwardly and is ing of the inner tube in the casing is positively obviated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inside curing rim which can be truly and quickly aligned and held iirmly in aligned position in the tire without looseness of the hinged joints between the collapsible sections of the rim.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inside curing rim which is highly useful and simple in construction. Convenience of arrangement, lightness and comparative inexpense of manufacture are further objects which have been lborne in mind in the production and development of the invention. The invention is. clearly illustrated in the ac- In carrying out my invention I make use of aV plurality of arcuate sections 6 connected to each other by hinged joints 1 which latter can be fastened against collapsing so as to hold the sections in circular rim assembly. The sections 6 complement each other to form a complete circle.

The rim sections are 'preferably formed `of comparatively light material such as sheet metal.

The cross sectional shape of each rim section includes a dished central portion which has its bottom formed on an arc into a well 8 the width of which is narrower than the maximum width of the expanded curing bag 9 at the portion not wasted by any action or tendency for spreading or pushing the sides of the tire casing away from the outer flange edges of the rim.

Each hinged joint betweenpadjacent rim sections includes a bracket I3 the base I4 of which is superimposed on `a curved sub-base I6 both being integrally united together and with the inner surface of the rim section E adjacent said hinged endsof the respective sections. The subbase IB extends to the end of the section 6 so as to `provide a rmer bearing end. The brackets I3 at one end of each section 6 vare narrower than `the bracket I3 at the other end so that the narrower bracket I3 ts between the bifurcated ends of the wider bracket I3. The brackets I3 at the opposite ends of each section extend outwardly beyond the ends of the respective sections 6 and have transverse holesl Il therein so that the adjacent brackets I3 of adjacent section ends overlap with the holes Il therein in registry. A fastening element, such as a pin or the like, is inserted throughthe aligned bracket holes forming the fulcrums inwardly of the rim and in substantial registry with the line 'of abutment between the ends of` the adjacent sections 6.

My sectional curing rim, by providing the relatively reduced .area in the circumferential well, connes and directs the expansion of the curing bag to outward pressure on the tire tread; by the arrangement of outer ared flanges prevents the curling of the bag varound the edges of the rim and thereby prevents waste of expansive force and the doubling, creasing and cutting of the curing bag; the outer anges give added rigidity `and greater strength to the rim as well as facilitate true alignment of the sections by reason of increased bearing surface at the hinged joints; the

formation of the hinged brackets with a sub-base flange extended contiguously from each side of said well and curved upwardly and outwardly.

2. lAn inside curing rim for holding a pneu- Y. matic curing bag inside a tire casing to be vulcanized, comprising, a, circumferential well of lesser width than the width ofthe portion 'of the curing bag held in the rim, and a circumferential iiange extended contiguously from each side of said well and curved upwardly and outwardly beyond the opposite side planes at thegmaximum bag expansion in the casing by inflation to curing pressure. l Y e 43. An inside curing rim for holding a pneumatic curing bag inside a tire casing to be vulcanized, comprising, a circumferential well of arcuate cross section and of. lesser width than-the width of the portion of the curing bag connedi'n the rim well, and a circumferential flangel extending outwardly and upwardly from each side of said well.

i further thickens the bearing surface and renders 4. An inside curing rim for holding a, pneumatic curing bag inside a tire casing to be vulcanized, comprising, a circumferential well of arcuate cross section and of lesser width than the width of the portion of the curing bag confined in the .rim well, and a circumferential iiange extending outwardly and upwardly from each side of said well, said curing rim including a plurality of complemental arcuate elements of the said cross sectionalshape to form a complete circular rim,4 and hinged connections between the adjacent ends of the respective complemental elements, at least one of said hinge connections being releasable.

5. An vinside curing rim for holding'a pneumatic curing bag inside a tire casing to be vulcanized, comprising, a circumferential well of arcuate cross section and of lesser width than the width of the portion of the curing bag conned in the rim well, and a circumferential iiange extending outwardly and upwardlyfrom each side of saidewell, saidcuring rim including a plurality lof coinplemental arcuateelements of the said cross sectional shape tdform a complete circular rim,rand hinged connectionsbetween the adjacent ends of the frespective complemental elements, at least one of said hinge connections bein g releasable, the pivotsof said hinge connections being in registry with andnradially inwardly ofl the lines of abutments of the respective abutting ends of said elements.,

, THOMAS P. BACON, JR. 

